Over the past decade, Rural Vermont’s Small Farm Action Days have been offering farmers and the broader agrarian community a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the Vermont legislative process. This annual series has helped hundreds of people build the necessary skills and confidence to be effective citizen advocates; and has provided the opportunity and platform to voice their needs, concerns, ideas, and hopes before policy-makers. In the words of a recent Small Farm Action Day participant, “Rural Vermont provided me with an accessible pathway for advocacy, learning how to navigate our State House and legislative process, and helped me to continually cultivate my own agency in change-making.”
In 2024, we’ll be co-hosting Small Farm Action Day with NOFA-VT on Thursday, March 14th from 8am to 2:15pm at the Vermont State House in Montpelier. This full-day event is designed for those who are curious to learn more about navigating and influencing the legislative process, as well as gain access to members of the agricultural committees. Attendees will build skills, connections, and experience to confidently and effectively advocate for the wants and needs of themselves and their communities.
More specifically, attendees will gain a better understanding of how laws are enacted in Vermont, tips and tricks for lobbying and providing testimony, and the latest updates on bills of interest to the agrarian community. We’ll hear stories from past Small Farm Action Day attendees who have since evolved into seasoned and effective citizen advocates, and we’ll practice the techniques we’ve learned in a safe and supportive environment before heading out for a tour of the State House. On either side of lunch, we’ll visit the Senate and House Agriculture Committees where we’ll observe discussion of active ag-oriented bills, and those with interest in testifying may have the opportunity to do so.
We recognize that taking a full day away from the farm and day-to-day responsibilities is not easy for many. To offset some of the expenses incurred from time away, we’ll offer a limited amount of stipends to cover mileage, childcare, and/or relief farm labor.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Vermont State House on March 14th! RSVPing by March 1st will help us customize Small Farm Action Day to meet your interests and needs.